Folate reduces risk of severe autism, finds study

AAP and staff writers A new study that shows a link between taking folate around the time of conception and a reduced chance of severe autism could have implications for other brain disorders, such as schizophrenia.

Bar sells pregnancy tests in toilets

An American bar owner has installed a pregnancy test vending machine in the ladies’ toilets in an effort to prevent prenatal exposure to alcohol.

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Can you ever be ready for a baby?

Brooke Tasovac Before you get pregnant, you might have all the boxes ticked - with your career, home and travel plans all sorted - or you could be the ' let's just see what happens' type. No matter what your style, it can help to think about the emotional aspects of parenthood.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): the facts

Staff writers Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can impact dramatically on a woman's health - especially her fertility. Here are the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of PCOS in pregnancy.

Myth busting

Can you influence your baby's gender?

Monique Robinson The Shettles Method, the Chinese lunar calendar, following a special diet ... do any of these actually influence your baby's gender? We look at the research to find out.

Things I'm thankful for after my miscarriages

Hannah Cherry I’ve come to realise there are positives in negatives - even in repeat miscarriages. So here are the things I'm grateful for.

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When kids don't happen

Lori Carson I'll always wonder what it might have been like to have a child, but I know that no one gets to live out all her dreams. It's tempting to wonder "what if", but I think the choices we make are probably built into who we are.

Does this make you want to reproduce?

CANDICE CHUNG One UK company has started an unusual campaign to get women thinking about fertility - and it's not doing anyone any favours.

What not to say to a childless woman

Wendy Squires There are two words for the woman who announced it was a tragedy that I was chlidless.

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Women warned not to rely on IVF as more give birth in their 50s

Melissa Davey, Philip Ly The number of Australian women giving birth in their 50s has more than doubled over five years, despite doctors warning against relying on IVF.

Discount IVF can come at a cost

JULIA MEDEW It has a lower success rate than the usual IVF process, but a new stripped-down version of the fertility treatment can cost less than half as much as the full service.

The baby makers

Melody McCabe There are some very special people who have an incredibly important, highly stressful occupation: they are the baby makers, also known as embryologists.

Two mums, one dad and a baby

Surrogacy has been a sleeper issue, but it's about to wake up, writes Brian Robins.

Surrogacy bill gives parents more rights

Brian Robins - State Politics Parents of children born through surrogacy would be given full legal recognition for the first time, under a bill introduced in Parliament last night. Couples would also be able to enter into surrogacy arrangements abroad.

Evangelical overseas adoption

AMY GRAY Meet the Christian blogger who wants you to contribute to her adoption fund. And she's not alone.

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Forced adoption apology: read the full speech

Prime Minister Julia Gillard decried the ''shameful mistakes of the past'' as she delivered a national apology today to tens of thousands of families torn apart by forced adoptions between the 1950s and 1970s. Here is the apology speech in full.

The most beautiful adoption story you'll ever read

AMBER ROBINSON In the mood for an uplifting story today? Read this tale of a baby found on a subway, then the amazing story of what happened next ...

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